Heavyweight boxer David Tua will make his comeback in Hamilton, fighting Russian-born giant Alexander Ustinov at the Claudelands Events Centre.

Promoter Duco Events has today announced a deal for the 36-year-old Ustinov - ranked 10th in the WBA and seventh in the IBF - to fight Tua, 40, in Hamilton on August 31.

"I told the guys at Duco that I would fight anyone," Tua, 40 said.

"And I am a man of my word.

"Alexander will be a challenging opponent on a number of levels. But I need 'challenging'. I am boxing again because I eventually want to have another shot at the heavyweight title. That chance will never come if I run from fights. And that is something I have never done.

"I'm excited about the fight. The key now is to continue to work hard and make sure that come fight night I am in the best position possible to make a statement against Alexander and announce to the world that David Tua is serious about fulfilling his destiny."

The 2.02-metre tall Ustinov, who now lives in Belarus, holds a credible 28-1 record with 21 knockouts.

Ustinov beat American gatekeeper Monte Barrett, the only man to knock down Tua, with a unanimous points victory in 2009.

He also holds a 53-9 kickboxing record and fought once in New Zealand.

Tua has been attempting to lose weight and get in shape to fight for the first time since losing to Barrett two years ago in Auckland.

Hamilton City councillor Angela O'Leary said the city would reap the benefits of the event.

Ms O'Leary said it was likely that the success of Tua's fight against fellow Kiwi Shane Cameron at Mystery Creek Events Centre in 2009 led to Hamilton being chosen to host his comeback.

''I know that the economic benefits of something like this are quite far-reaching and they go on for a while, it's not just on the night of the event.